Probably Another E46 BMW 330ci
Discussion
I had a long running thread about my, at first very troublesome, beloved but now, sadly, dead Toyota MR2 Roadster :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
On tuesday evening (three nights ago) I replaced it with a car that I've held in quite high regard for some time, having driven a few over the years, the E46 BMW 330ci, so I thought I'd make a thread about the one I purchased as well..
I particularly wanted an early facelift model (nicer front and rear lamps and six speed gearbox but not horrendous road tax) and also an M-Sport equipped model, lower suspension, nicer bumpers and skirts and stuff, I think, and with black kidney grills and window trim.
I might be corrected on some of that, I'm not a total E46 geek, but I got the car in the spec and colour I was hoping for and for an ok price, I think.
I do my own mechanical work so I will report back on what I do to it in due course and how I find it to run and look after, whether anyone is interested or not!, ha!
Anyway, here are some early pics before I get stuck in...
Lets see how this one goes...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
On tuesday evening (three nights ago) I replaced it with a car that I've held in quite high regard for some time, having driven a few over the years, the E46 BMW 330ci, so I thought I'd make a thread about the one I purchased as well..
I particularly wanted an early facelift model (nicer front and rear lamps and six speed gearbox but not horrendous road tax) and also an M-Sport equipped model, lower suspension, nicer bumpers and skirts and stuff, I think, and with black kidney grills and window trim.
I might be corrected on some of that, I'm not a total E46 geek, but I got the car in the spec and colour I was hoping for and for an ok price, I think.
I do my own mechanical work so I will report back on what I do to it in due course and how I find it to run and look after, whether anyone is interested or not!, ha!
Anyway, here are some early pics before I get stuck in...
Lets see how this one goes...
Edited by Martin350 on Saturday 21st August 01:38
Looking good - I did enjoy my petrol straight 6 E46 325ti Sport!
Mine was a pre-facelift but the 6 speed is a real bonus, as are the M-Sport seats.
But apart from the M3 I think all the straight 6s are in the same band for Road Tax.
The black kidney grilles were standard on the 6 cylinder models, but OE they had a chrome surround like these:-
Mine was a pre-facelift but the 6 speed is a real bonus, as are the M-Sport seats.
But apart from the M3 I think all the straight 6s are in the same band for Road Tax.
The black kidney grilles were standard on the 6 cylinder models, but OE they had a chrome surround like these:-
Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 21st August 02:09
Mr Tidy said:
Looking good - I did enjoy my petrol straight 6 E46 325ti Sport!
Mine was a pre-facelift but the 6 speed is a real bonus, as are the M-Sport seats.
But apart from the M3 I think all the straight 6s are in the same band for Road Tax.
The black kidney grilles were standard on the 6 cylinder models, but OE they had a chrome surround like these:-
I love a BMW straight six engine, I've had a couple before, sooo smooth.Mine was a pre-facelift but the 6 speed is a real bonus, as are the M-Sport seats.
But apart from the M3 I think all the straight 6s are in the same band for Road Tax.
The black kidney grilles were standard on the 6 cylinder models, but OE they had a chrome surround like these:-
Ah, I didn't realise the M-Sport had different seats too.
Court_S said:
That looks lovely.
The E46 in M Sport trim has aged particularly well to my eyes, especially the facelift version. How are the arches?
Thank you!The E46 in M Sport trim has aged particularly well to my eyes, especially the facelift version. How are the arches?
I think the E46 in general has aged very well.
There is just a very very small bit off bubbling on the trailing end of the right hand rear arch.
The front wings are in excellent shape.
I might get the few small dents, two on the same rear arch and one on the roof seen to, there is a paintless dent removal guy who lives just round the corner.
Kettmark said:
Great cars. I had one for 16 years which I ran to 250k with very few issues.
That's good to know! 
Mine is on 105k.g3org3y said:
You've done well to find one with a manual box. Enjoy!
Yes, selecting 'manual' in the searches certainly narrows them down!I'm not a fan of automatics so I didn't even consider one.
So far I've changed engine oil & filter, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs, auxiliary drive belt & tensioner, air conditioning belt & tensioner and the fuel cap (the stringy bit that attaches to the filler flap had broken off, can't have that!)..
Still got quite a few more bits which I want to refresh on it, including getting rid of the horrid number plates...
Edited by Martin350 on Sunday 22 August 21:56
LanceRS said:
I’ve had mine for over 5 years and taken it from 100k to 165k Miles. I genuinely cannot think of anything else for the money, that does what I want it to so well.
Ooh, I do love the Club Sport, especially in Estoril blue. 
Again, very encouraging to hear it's served you so well.
They do still seem very good value, even though they've crept up in price.
After seeing a few at lower prices, including a CS, which were way more shabby than mine I paid £4,900 for this one.
It also has a huge history file which I've not completely gone through yet, as well as the original rear silencer (it has a Scorpion one fitted, which is actually not very loud at all) and the original radio/CD player.
Looks lovely! I had to get rid of mine for something with more doors, but it was a great car to drive and cost me very little to run over 5 years. I still think the earlier 330Ci had the best looking front end (which the M3 retained until the end of E46 production) but the facelift models look better at the rear with the LED tail lights.
Mr Tidy said:
The black kidney grilles were standard on the 6 cylinder models, but OE they had a chrome surround like these:-
I think it was the opposite - 330Ci had chromed slats (on the leading edge of the slats) and chrome surround, lesser models had fully black slats with chrome surround.Personally I prefer the factory look over the blacked out grille, but it's personal preference.
Nice choice - The facelift do look great, random thing they changed that you wouldn't probably notice is the boot trim above the number place - looks so much better on the Facelift.
I had a Pre Sport and a Post clubsport, I preferred my Sport overall purely as it was a better car in better condition. The 6 speed of the Facelift was much needed however, it was quite a bit better on fuel if I recall.
Your exhaust looks like its sticking out a bit too far - Presume it is aftermarket, if it's stock, there's a valve inside it that is supposed to open up at 3000 RPM.
Remove the valve if its still there! It sounds so much better open all the time, mine were both rusty and stuck shut. I beat one out, and just rotated the second one which siezed open.
I had a Pre Sport and a Post clubsport, I preferred my Sport overall purely as it was a better car in better condition. The 6 speed of the Facelift was much needed however, it was quite a bit better on fuel if I recall.
Your exhaust looks like its sticking out a bit too far - Presume it is aftermarket, if it's stock, there's a valve inside it that is supposed to open up at 3000 RPM.
Remove the valve if its still there! It sounds so much better open all the time, mine were both rusty and stuck shut. I beat one out, and just rotated the second one which siezed open.
Martin350 said:
Thanks.
Both of yours look great.
No, I hadn't noticed the boot trim above the number plate.
Well spotted on the exhaust, it's got a Scorpion back box fitted.
I might try and move it inwards a little, if possible, and I do also have the standard silencer, and the valve isn't stuck!
If you do refit it, google the golf tee mod ! Basically stick a golf tee in the vacuum tube that operates it and it will stay open.Both of yours look great.
No, I hadn't noticed the boot trim above the number plate.
Well spotted on the exhaust, it's got a Scorpion back box fitted.
I might try and move it inwards a little, if possible, and I do also have the standard silencer, and the valve isn't stuck!
I do love the look of an E46, they're such awesome cars.
It took me ages to bond with mine. In fact, I hated the thing at first. I bought it for track days and general hooning around. But compared to what I was used to (turbo jap cars), it felt so slow.
So I stripped all the interior, bucket seats, Dave F air filter, Bilstein suspension, polybushed all over and Michelin Cup 2 tyres. It felt much better after all this, but still kinda boring to me. So I installed a closer ratio diff and then it was superb.
Gearing was obviously shorter and it felt great. A true weapon on track and so much fun on cold damp roads.
I miss that car, but the constant oil leaks ruined my driveway and that privilege is only reserved for my Land Rovers
It took me ages to bond with mine. In fact, I hated the thing at first. I bought it for track days and general hooning around. But compared to what I was used to (turbo jap cars), it felt so slow.
So I stripped all the interior, bucket seats, Dave F air filter, Bilstein suspension, polybushed all over and Michelin Cup 2 tyres. It felt much better after all this, but still kinda boring to me. So I installed a closer ratio diff and then it was superb.
Gearing was obviously shorter and it felt great. A true weapon on track and so much fun on cold damp roads.
I miss that car, but the constant oil leaks ruined my driveway and that privilege is only reserved for my Land Rovers
The standard car definitely isn't a sports car! The tyres are way too wide, the steering is over-assisted, and the Sport suspension is overdamped.
I took mine on the NC500 and had a great time, in spite of all of that. It was telling that I managed to have a good time exploring its limited talents, and still cruised home in absolute comfort.
Ergonomically, of ever car I've owned, that's the one that's 'fitted' me best. Everything was in the right place, and the driving position was A1.
I took mine on the NC500 and had a great time, in spite of all of that. It was telling that I managed to have a good time exploring its limited talents, and still cruised home in absolute comfort.
Ergonomically, of ever car I've owned, that's the one that's 'fitted' me best. Everything was in the right place, and the driving position was A1.
I agree with the comments above it is a very good do it all.
On the comfort front I forgot about the best mod I did to my Clubsport, E46 M3 seats - They look 100x better, are way comfier, the leather is softer and has a nicer finish, the heating and electrics were plug and play. Well worth a go if you see a reasonably priced set on eBay.
On the comfort front I forgot about the best mod I did to my Clubsport, E46 M3 seats - They look 100x better, are way comfier, the leather is softer and has a nicer finish, the heating and electrics were plug and play. Well worth a go if you see a reasonably priced set on eBay.
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